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There are plenty of high-rises and condos to choose from for Dallas’ gay urban dweller

Despite some woes in the real estate market, Dallas’ urban housing boom has continued. Cranes fill the skyline like birds migrating in winter and high-rises are blossoming like crocuses.

Last spring in Defining Homes, we previewed some of the area’s hippest, trendiest and most promising vertical-living options. This year, we revisit some of the old and new for those interested in a lifestyle that doesn’t require mowing the lawn.

Here is our far-from-exhaustive list of current properties.

OAK LAWN/UPTOWN

The Art House in Oak Lawn takes its inspiration from a museum space.

Art House 3740 Holland Ave. These eight condos are accessed through a museum-like lobby. The 2,550 square foot residences are selling for under $800,000. This small development features streamlined, modern design with sculpture garden and private courtyards.

The Azure, 2900 McKinnon St., Azureliving.com The 31 stories of the Azure holds 202 condos, ranging from 880 to 5,000 square feet. A private 17-seat theater, sauna, library overlooking garden pool, boardroom and exercise room are some of the amenities. Priced $400,000 to more than $1 million.

Montebella Condos 2787 Kings Road, Montebellacondos.com. This Uptown property offers one or two bedroom apartments, from 930 to 1,049 square feet. The two-story townhouse style residences with front and rear entrances is gated with reserved, covered parking, hardwood floors, granite countertops, lush landscaping and creek views. And with prices from $144,900 to $174,350, it is one of the most affordable properties in Oak Lawn.

Piazza Siena Condominiums, 3102 Kings Road. As the name suggests, these condos are arranged around a European style courtyard with fountain gardens. One bedrooms from 640 to 798 square feet, priced $134,900 to $167,500; two bedrooms from 942 to 1103 square feet, $192,500 to $239,900 (each with private balcony). Many are available to rent from $799 to $1357 per month.

Stoneleigh Residences, 2927 Maple Ave.; 214-530-2021,Stoneleighresidences.com; The complex will open this summer along with a $20 million hotel renovation. Ninety-seven units (1 to 3 bedroom plans) occupy a new 22-story tower behind the classic 1923 hotel and hotel services are available for residence owners. Square footage runs 1,275 to more than 3,800; penthouse suites 4,000 to 12,000 sq. ft. $380,000 to $3 million.

West Village Condominiums, 3699 McKinney Ave. Now that the West Village has become the focal point of Uptown and an unquestioned success whose formula is being copied in projects around the Metroplex, more of the development’s apartments are being sold as condos. The Magnolia, numerous restaurants and shops and a supermarket are within steps of your front door. The (free) trolley stops at your doorstep, connecting to the CityPlace DART station or the downtown terminus at the Dallas Museum of Art. The biggest drawback to living in West Village? It’s success. All that noise and traffic, and it can be busier than Downtown, although its boosters would say more vibrant. $285,000 to $569,000.

DOWNTOWNDPL Flats of Dallas, 1506 Commerce St.,Dplflats.com Built in 1931 by Dallas Power and Light, the company (renamed TU Electric after a 1984 merger and TXU in 1998) occupied offices in the building until 2003. A $35 million rehabilitation began in 2004. Today, one bedroom apartments rent from $940 to $2550 per month, two bedrooms from $1,600 to $3,820 per month. Tex-Asian restaurant Fuse and clothing boutique Crimson are on the first floor.

The Mosaic is Downtown’s newest living space.

The Mosaic,

300 N. Akard St., Mosaicdallas.com The former 1952 Fidelity Union Tower opened last fall with 440 apartments. The rooftop 120 foot long zero edge pool features a "dive-in theater" two 415-inch poolside projection screens. A private dog park and a new Opening Bell Coffee, a favorite from South Side on Lamar, are two of the building’s amenities.

One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh St.;oneartsplaza.com Residences at this mixed business and residential development are priced $500,000 to $3.9 million. The stunning structure anchors the eastern end of the downtown Arts District it’s one block from the Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theater, opening in November 2009. Retail fills the first two floors, offices are above with the top six floors residential. Two additional buildings planned.

THE CEDARS The granddaddy of Dallas lofts is certainly South Side on Lamar: This makeover of the old Sears Catalogue Merchandise Center is a model of urban redevelopment with art studios, galleries and shops. No neighborhood in the city could be considered safer with the new Dallas police headquarters across the street. Gilley’s, the relocated Poor David’s Pub, the upscale restaurant Amuse and the Cedars DART station make this one of the city’s most accessible and interesting new neighborhoods.

South Side isn’t the only game in the Cedars. When The Beat opens, it will be directly on a light rail stop with some units getting great Downtown views.

The Beat 1319 S. Lamar St., Thebeatcondos.com The Beat, a 10-story condo, is under construction across the street from the DART station. From 608 to 1,293 square feet, priced $131,000 to $377,000.

Coombs Bridge Lofts 2401 Ervay St.

A converted warehouse near Old City Park, these lofts range from 1,400 to 2,634 square feet. The building features a rooftop deck and secure parking and start at $174,000.

VICTORY PARK Some of the latest additions to Victory Park include high-end women’s retailer V.O.D. (Valley of the Dolls), florist Bella Flora, NOKA chocolates and men’s and women’s fashions at Klad. Life Style Fashion Terminal includes 12 branded designer shops under one 25,000 square foot roof. Victory Tavern, Nove and Luna de Noche are the newest restaurants and House of Blues and Havana Social Club are among the latest hot spots.

The Terrace Houston Street between Lamar Street and High Market Place, theterracecondos.com. Seven stories with 95 residences priced at $300,000-plus.

W Dallas-Victory 2408 Victory Park Lane, Victoryresidences.com. Although open more than a year, lines still form on weekends to get into Ghost Bar at the W. The residences were listed as sold out upon opening, but a number have returned to the market. Ranging in size from 1,100 to 4,100 square feet, they’re selling for under $400,000 to more than $2,500,000.

DEEP ELLUM

Deep Ellum’s Adam Hats building was among Dallas’ first loft spaces.

Adam Hats Lofts, 2700 Canton St. Another building with an interesting history, the Adam Hats building began its life in 1914 as a Ford Motor Company assembly plant for the Model T. In 1925, the factory moved to a new location, but the building remained a Ford showroom until 1955. Adam Hats were manufactured here until 1986.

In 1997, the building gained landmark status and began its conversion into 90 lofts. Rent from $750 per month for one bedroom, $1,000 for two bedrooms.

Bryan Street Station 3015 Bryan St., Bryanstreetstation.com. Phase one is completely sold out; building two is under construction and for sale from $142,900 to $205,000 for one or two bedroom units ranging from 712 to 1187 square feet. These modern buildings have arched roofs; separate two and three bedroom townhouses also to be included in the project are yet to be priced.

Continental Lofts, 3311 Elm St., Continentalloftapartments.com. Along with its next-door neighbor, now studio space for artists, Continental Gin Company formerly Munger’s Improved Cotton Machine Manufacturing Company built this former warehouse in 1914. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. Conversion of the building into 61 residences began in 1997.

The mixed-use facility at 3200 Main in Deep Ellum provides a home for the Undermain Theatre, which occupies the basement.

3200 Main

3200 Main St. Since Deep Ellum began redevelopment in the 1980s, the idea was for the area to become Dallas’ own French Quarter or Greenwich Village. Great loft space is an important part of that vision. One of the first conversions was 3200 Main. This former U. S. Customs warehouse built in 1913 now houses the Undermain Theater, the Conduit Gallery and lofts from 1,000 sq. ft. for rent.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice Defining Homes print edition March 7, 2008